|
SCUTTLEBUTT 2336 – May 3, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). WINNING UGLY Valencia, 2 May 2007 – At 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, the wind on the North Course was blowing out of the west at 19 knots. It looked like it was going to be a great day of racing. By 1 p.m., there was barely enough wind to ruffle the flags and it looked like the schedule would be further compressed by Valencia's oddest spring weather in years. Then a moderate, shifty southerly filled and two flights were completed. Of the 10 races, just one went to the underdog, but that doesn't begin to tell the story of the day. A more telling number is 75 percent, which is a conservative estimate at the amount of time BMW Oracle Racing trailed in its two races, both of which it won. Or how about eight of 10, which is the number of races decided by less than 62 seconds. The one actual upset could have big ramifications. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia made the first major switch of the regatta, replacing helmsman Flavio Flavini with Cameron Dunn. After 5 straight losses, syndicate CEO Vincenzo Onorato decided he had to make a change. It paid off Wednesday, with a crucial win over Desafío Español. The Spanish still have a strong hold on fourth, but they can't afford any more mistakes. -- by Stuart Streuli, Sailing World, full story: http://tinyurl.com/22uo2w Flight 3 1. Desafío Español 2007 beat Areva Challenge by 0:30 2. Emirates Team New Zealand beat +39 Challenge by 0:45 4. Luna Rossa Challenge beat United Internet Team Germany by 1:02 5. Victory Challenge beat China Team by 11:49 6. BMW Oracle Racing beat Team Shosholoza by 0:43 Bye - Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Flight 4 1. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team beat Desafío Español 2007 by 0:35 2. Emirates Team New Zealand beat Areva Challenge by 0:59 4. United Internet Team Germany beat China Team by 2:16 5. Luna Rossa Challenge beat. Team Shosholoza by 0:25 6. BMW Oracle Racing beat Victory Challenge by 0:14 Bye - +39 Challenge * For complete details from Tuesday’s racing: http://tinyurl.com/28ahl2 Provisional Leaders (RR1 pts - Matches Sailed RR2 - Matches Won - Total Pts) 1. BMW Oracle Racing (USA 98) 21-4-3-27 1. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94) 19-4-4-27 3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92) 18-3-3-24 4. Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 97) 17-3-2-21 5. Victory Challenge (SWE 96) 14-4-2-18 6. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia (ITA 99) 14-3-1-16 7. Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) 12-4-1-14 8. Areva Challenge (FRA 93) 9-4-2-13 9. +39 Challenge (ITA 85) 6-3-0-6 10. United Internet Team Germany (GER 89) 3-4-1-5 11. China Team (CHN 95) 1-4-1-3 Note: 2 points are awarded for each match won. * See the complete schedule at http://www.americascup.com/en/americascup/program/calendrier.php * Must-see Thursday: Only Flight 5 is on the schedule, but it is packed with a couple of kickers. Plan your work day around Race 2 with BMW Oracle Racing vs. Luna Rossa Challenge, and then later look for Thursday’s finale, Race 6 with Desafío Español 2007 vs. Emirates Team New Zealand. * Eliminated: By the end of Round Robin Two, 7 of the 11 teams will be eliminated. However, for 3 teams, the math has already caught up with them. +39 Challenge (ITA 85), United Internet Team Germany (GER 89), and China Team (CHN 95) are now officially relegated to the spoiler role, as they can no longer gain enough points in RR2 to make it into the top 4. * Quote / Unquote: “Once another boat is ahead, it is always hard to get past. But if you have a fast boat, once you manage to get past, you are away.“ -- Peter Isler, navigator, BMW Oracle Racing * Scuttlebutt Jeopardy: What syndicate head was born to a 19-year-old single mother, raised by an aunt and uncle, dropped out of college, started a company with 2K, led it to dominance in the 1980s, nearly lost it all in 1990 but by 2000 was back on top and is now recognized as among the world's richest man? Who is Larry Ellison of BMW Oracle Racing team. -- Excerpt from article by Angus Phillips, http://tinyurl.com/2egpq9 * Weather forecast: The outlook for Thursday is for west-southwesterly breeze backing southeast at 7-10 knots, with some cloud cover and a slight risk of rain. Temperature is to be 18 degrees C (64.4 degrees F). NO TIME FOR HONOR In a match race there is no obligation to take a penalty if you foul. You heard me. But you're doubledog obligated to perform your penance if the umpires nail you. Hit a mark unseen? Keep going, mate. And this is not about cheating. It's a function of having umpires on the course. In a meeting that included jury chairman Bryan Willis and chief umpire Brad Dellenbaugh, the point was made very clearly by Willis that, "You are expected to wait for the umpires to make the call." Willis went on to urge people like me to spread the word lest in some hypothetical instance in America's Cup 32, impressionable youth might spot a foul unflagged and unacknowledged, and imagine that to be a standard acceptable for next Saturday's Opti race. It is not. Step out of umpired match racing into any other form of sailing, and you are again subject to the strict expectations of the honor code. If you do not meet them, you're peeing in your own pool. -- by Kimball Livingston, SAIL, full story: http://sailmag.com/LVCday1 NEW AND IMPROVED New England Ropes recently launched their new website! The website illustrates the company’s command of rope design and manufacturing across all industries. In the sailing area, visitors can learn about rope design, fiber types, and characteristics, and the vast array of products for every level of sailing NER offers. And visitors to the Marine Community Page can read all about New Products, the NER Team (including members of the United States Sailing Team and Kenny Read), and articles, including one from the Feb 2007 issue of SAIL titled ‘Busted!’ where they test the breaking strengths of five common knots. http://www.neropes.com RESURRECTION OF A LEGEND (May 2, 2007) Just 36 months ago, one of the most legendary racing sailboats on the West Coast was purchased at a sheriff’s auction. The boat had sat unused and neglected since the 2001 Transpac, and was suffering from the effects of many months sitting unattended in Long Beach Harbor. While a small consortium purchased Ragtime at this auction, and got the boat to the line in time to finish Rag’s record-setting 13th Transpac, the boat was hardly reaching it’s potential. Fortunately, designer Allan Andrews, who knew the boat and had helped in its 90’s design updates convinced Chris Welsh that Ragtime still had the lines to compete. -- by John Drayton, read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/rags WORLD SAILING RANKINGS (May 2, 2007) The first of the year’s ISAF Grade 1 European regattas brought a record number of entries and well over 1,000 sailors to Hyères, France. After a disappointing performance in Palma, the Brits came back with a bang, claiming two gold medals a result, which consolidates their position as top nation in the latest release of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings. Next in line for countries with members in the top 3 are Germany in second, and Australia in third. It is good to note that the rankings are a complicated formula where one’s best scores are calculated over a two-year span. Only selected events can count toward the ranking, and of those events, they are weighted based on how recent they are, how important they are perceived to be, and how difficult they actually were (based on how many top-ranked entrants attended). North Americans in the top 10: 3. Anna Tunnicliffe (USA), Laser Radial 5. Sally Barkow/Carrie Howe/Debbie Capozzi (USA), Yngling 5. George Szabo/Andrew Scott (USA), Star 8. John Dane/Austin Sperry (USA), Star 9. Jenniffer Provan/Carol Luttmer (CAN), 470 Women 9. Bernard Luttmer (CAN), Finn 9. Chris Cook (CAN), Laser ISAF link: http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j17FnA~/l&format=popup * There is a story circulating about how a leading US Olympic Star class contender is short on funds, and is looking to sell off some extra gear. With the trials coming up this fall, this team had an extra boat and figured its cash value would be a big help at this point. However, after failing to get good value for it on the open market, they went to a local business to ask for a loan, using the boat as collateral. When the proprietor offered them only $1,000, they are understood to have caused quite a riff, ranting on about who they were and the boat’s substantial worth. In reply to their tantrum, the proprietor is known to have said, “When you wish to pawn a Star, makes no difference who you are." (okay, having a little fun with the help of ‘butthead Scott Gordon) 10 QUESTIONS WITH BRAD FUNK Brad Funk, the top-ranked Laser sailor on the 2007 US Sailing Team, shakes up his approach to sailing this year, as he kicks his Olympic campaign into full drive. Fresh from his impressive ninth place result at Semaine Olympique Française in Hyeres, France last week, Funk explains how he’s ramping up his training – and why playing videogames is a key component. 1. You were the top American Laser finisher in Hyeres last week. How would you describe the racing? Funk: It wasn’t a typical Hyeres regatta because of the light air. It was just windy and consistent enough to require making the right decisions on the race course to make sure you’re up there in the race. I could have been in the top three if I hadn’t had a cramping issue. We hadn’t hiked the whole week but on the first beat of the first day with breeze, I went around the weather mark and both of my hamstrings locked up. I was hauling downwind in 20 knots, with both my legs straight out on the deck. 2. Why was it important for you to compete in Hyeres? Funk: All the guys that are going to be at the Olympics are there, so it’s a good fleet. 3. We’ve seen some terrific results from you this year. You have made the Medal Races in two consecutive regattas. What are you doing differently? Funk: My coach, John Bertrand, has helped me unlock my full potential. I no longer obsess over just the results in every event. I have been focused on executing my objectives -- and then the results take care of themselves. For the past five months of training, I have focused on turning my weakness into strengths. I have even been surprised with the results, myself. -- Complete interview: http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/spotlight/spotlight050207.asp ULLMAN SAILS IN THE NEWPORT-ENSENADA RACE In the 60th Lexus Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, Mark Folkman & Mike Galloway’s “Ono” won PHRF C and the President of USA Trophy, correcting out on all PHRF entries. In last two years, Alec Oberschmidt’s R/P 50 “Staghound” has won the Maxi class and President of Mexico Trophy. Other winning Ullman customers: PHRF A, Kjeld Hestehave’s “Velos”; PHRF B, Bud & Mel Richley’s “Amante”; PHRF F, Henry Plant’s “Still Crazy”; Sprit A & J/120 Class, Jed Olenick’s “Doctor No”; and XS Racing, Randy Reynolds’ “Cat Attack.” Congratulations all! For the “Fastest Sails on the Planet,” contact Ullman Sails. http://www.ullmansails.com SAILING SHORTS * Construction of Ericsson Racing Team’s Juan Kouyoumdjian designed boat, which will compete in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race, has started just 200 meters from Ericsson's corporate headquarters in Kista, Stockholm. The team’ s custom yard includes two ovens - one as big as the boat (25 meters) and a smaller one for the components – and will be managed by Killian Bushe, who built the past two race winners. The first step is to build the mould, which is expected to conclude by late May. The hull and the deck will be built mid-year, with the launch planned for late 2007. http://www.ericssonracingteam.com * Franck Cammas (FRA) and his ten crew on Groupama III have smashed Steve Fossett's (USA) Discovery Route record, taking over two days off the 3,884 nm passage time from Cadiz, Spain to San Salvador, Bahamas. Groupama III completed the course in 7 days, 10 hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds, subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC). -- http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j6lFnA~7B&format=popup * ISAF is now accepting bids for Regional Finals and the Grand Final of the 2009 ISAF Nations Cup, one of ISAF’s premier events designed to promote match racing around the global and find the world’s top match racing nations. The bids should comply with the Bid Document and received by the ISAF Secretariat no later than 15 June 2007. -- http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j12FnA~/D&format=popup * (May 2, 2007) Tony Bullimore has made excellent progress on around the world record attempt, averaging over 18 knots through the first 16 hours since his May 1st start. His 102-foot catamaran 'Doha' has reported speeds of 25 knots as the winds increased to 38 knots, gusting to 45 knots, during his first night at sea. Weather forecasts expect the winds to stay NNE for the next 24 hours but increase to 45 knots over the next 12 hours. Then, after 12:00 GMT May 2, the winds will become more northerly and continue blowing at more than 25 knots for the next four days. -- http://www.teambullimore.com FREE TACKTICK COMPASS REPAIR The solar-powered Tacktick compass has brought the digital display to boats that previously were limited due to the lack of battery power. For one-design dinghy and keelboat classes where the rules allowed them, the Tacktick is irreplaceable to sailors who use them (and can afford them), but unlike most modern electronic gadgets, they have not become less costly since first introduced. And when they stop working and are out-of-warrantee, they become a really expensive paperweight. Rick Peters, a Star sailor and past member of the US Sailing Team, has had some success repairing dead or malfunctioning Tacktick Race Master compasses (specifically model T040). Right now he’s looking for more broken compasses to further test his system of solutions, and is offering free repair service to the first 25 readers of Scuttlebutt who send him an out-of-warrantee Tacktick compass (either the Race Master T040 or Micro T060). All successfully repaired units will be sent back to the owners free of charge, and for compasses not repairable, the owner will be given the option to get the unit back or add it to Peters’ recycling bin. He will later report back the results of this effort to the readers of Scuttlebutt, and hopes to ultimately seek ways to prolong this new life in the digital age. Contact Rick Peters by e-mail for further information: mailto:starboatguy@aol.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Here are a few of the events that are coming up: May 1-5 - Etchells North American Championship - La Porte, TX, USA May 3-12 - Melges 24 World Championship - Santa Cruz, CA, USA May 4-6 - Leukemia Cup Regatta - Oak Point, TX, USA May 5-6 - American Yacht Club Spring Series - Rye, NY, USA May 5-6 - Flying Scot Great 48 - Mooresville, NC, USA May 5-6 - Yachting Cup - San Diego, CA, USA View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Bob Strickland: I am sorry, but I got to believe that what the Mascalzone Latino team did by using the wrong paint must go down in the annals of Cup history as one of the dumbest moves. For the amount of silly money being spent here, who the heck is minding the store? Read the darn rules! It is good that the Challenger trials are shorter this time, cause it gives us a chance to see the unprepared teams combust a little sooner. I wonder what a smoldering “little rascal” smells like. What time is the BBQ? * From Sarah Richards: Good to see that the new director of US-IRC, John Mendez, taking on the battle in Scuttlebutt. Given the prevalence of IRC in the part of the country where the Newport to Bermuda race will be held, and given that the race is known to dish out a smorgasbord of weather conditions, why not use IRC. Can we, for once and for all, get on the same train? * From Roger Clark: Regarding Bob Fisher’s comments (in ‘butt 2335) on the plight of the photographers missing out on the big wind day in Valencia, it would seem that even in cruddy conditions, this Cup has to be the most photogenic. The boat colors are amazing and the graphics are well thought out. It all looks quite exciting. -- Photos from Round Robin 1: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0430 * From Peter Wright: Nice to see the ‘rags to riches’ story on J/24 sailor Dan Borrer in Issue 2335, and to learn about how Paul van Ravensway, whose team on the J/24 Millennium Falcon, was the overall winner of the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta in Annapolis last weekend. The more I hear about the J/24 class in ‘Butt, the more I realize how it has become an easily accessible keelboat one-design fleet. While the days of Chris Larson, Terry Hutchinson, the Read brothers, etc. racing them are behind us, maybe that’s okay. Could be an example of how a class survived professionalism. * From Bill Leary - Perhaps Rich Roberts confused Alec Oberschmidt's Staghound with Prent Fulmor's boat of the same name when he used the word 'venerable' to describe her (Ensenada race report in Issue 2335). The latter Staghound was second overall in the 1951 Transpac, and first overall in 1953 and 1955. She's still a beautiful sight here in Hawaii and is truly venerable. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Confucius says, "Man who scratches butt should not bite fingernails." Special thanks to New England Ropes and Ullman Sails. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
